The European Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (revised) replaced and updated the original London Convention of 1969. The aim of this (revised) Convention is to protect the archaeological heritage as a source of the European collective memory and as an instrument for historical and scientific study. The convention acknowledges that the European archaeological heritage, which provides evidence of ancient history, is seriously threatened with deterioration because of the increasing number of major planning schemes, natural risks, clandestine or unscientific excavations and insufficient public awareness. It establishes a body of new basic legal standards for Europe, to be met by national policies for the protection of archaeological assets as sources of scientific and documentary evidence, in line with the principles of integrated conservation.
The revised text makes the conservation and enhancement of the archaeological heritage one of the goals of urban and regional planning policies. It is concerned in particular with arrangements to be made for co-operation among archaeologists and town and regional planners in order to ensure optimum conservation of archaeological heritage. Finally, the Convention introduces a framework for pan-European cooperation in the field of archaeological heritage, including the systematic exchange of information and experts among different states.
Law 3378/2005 (Α 203/19-08-2005) ratifies the European Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage – “Valletta Convention” – Council of Europe.
